Department of Education

Physical Science
11/12
Views on Universe
Second Quarter – Week 1

Jesmar Q. Tuting
Writer

Cynthia Agawin
David Libao
Validators

Dr. Louie M. Valdez

Armida S. Oblinada
Quality Assurance Team

Schools Division Office – Muntinlupa City

Student Center for Life Skills Bldg., Centennial Ave., Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
(02) 8805-9935 / (02) 8805-9940
 This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to
help you explain how the Greeks knew that the Earth is spherical (S11/12PS-
IVa-38), cite examples of astronomical phenomena known to astronomers
before the advent of telescopes (S11/12PS-IVa-41), and explain how Brahe’s
innovations and extensive collection of data in observational astronomy paved
the way for Kepler’s discovery of his laws of planetary motion (S11/12PS-IVb-
44).
This module is divided into three lessons namely:
Lesson 1 – The Spherical Earth
Lesson 2 – Pre-Telescope Astronomical Phenomena
Lesson 3 – Kepler's Discoveries from Brahe's Astronomical Data

Directions: Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. How does people before described the shape of the earth?

A. elliptical B. flat C. rectangular D. square
2. What is the shape of the Earth as described by modern astronomy?
A. elliptical B. hyperbolic C. oblate spheroid D. parabolic
3. Who among the Greek philosophers measured the circumference of the Earth?
A. Aristotle B. Anaxagoras C. Eratosthenes D. Homer
4. Because of Earth’s curvature, what can be observed about a ship approaching the
horizon?
A. It remains at the same apparent size.
B. Its mast (top portion) disappears first.
C. Its hull (bottom portion) disappears first.
D. It becomes smaller and smaller until it disappears.
5. What is the estimated circumference of the earth based on Erathosthenes’
calculation (in stadia)?
A. 10. 2 B. 185 C. 46250 D. 250000
6. Which of the following phenomena occurs when the moon is between the sun and
the earth and the moon is partially or complete blocks out the sun?
A. Lunar Eclipse C. Phases of the Moon
B. Solar Eclipse D. Motion of the Stars
7. Which of the following phenomena occurs when the earth casts its shadow on the
moon and the Earth is between the sun and moon?
A. Lunar Eclipse C. Phases of the Moon
B. Solar Eclipse D. Motion of the Stars
8. About how many days does the path and appearance of the moon changes as
observed by ancient people?
A. 27.5 days B. 29.5 days C. 30 days D. 31 days
9. Which of the following is not a pre-telescope observed phenomena?
A. Lunar Eclipse C. Motion of the Stars
B. Phases of the Moon D. Visibility of Uranus and Neptune

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10. Which of the following became the basis for ancient calendar?
A. Lunar Eclipse C. Motion of the Stars
B. Phases of the Moon D. Visibility of Uranus and Neptune
11. What is the shape of the path of the planet as it revolves around the sun?
A. circle B. cone C. ellipse D. sphere
12. What is Kepler’s third law of planetary motion?
A. Law of Ellipses C. Law of Harmony
B. Law of Equal Areas D. Law of Inertia
13. The closest point to the sun in a planet’s orbit is called as what?
A. aphelion B. ellipse C. focus D. perihelion
14. Which of the concept below is Tycho Brahe’s major contribution to the field of
astronomy?
A. the invention of telescope
B. measurement of Earth’ circumference
C. the Earth’s pull of gravity on the moon
D. accurate measurement of stars’ and planets’ position
15. What is the speed of a planet when it is farthest from the Sun?
A. The speed of the planet is faster.
B. The speed of the planet is slower.
C. The speed of the planet is neither fast nor slow.
D. The speed of the planet is similar to the speed when it is closer to the Sun.

You have learned in your history, science, and philosophy class that most of
the primitive ideas about the universe, motion, and earth are originated from the
Greek philosophers. Below are names of the great thinkers from Greece that you will
encounter in this lesson. Decode their names by replacing the numbers with its
corresponding letters on the alphabet.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Lesson 1 - The Spherical Earth

The shape of the Earth that we know today is an oblate spheroid. This shape
is described to be a sphere that is a little bit flat on poles and has a bulging equator.
This fact that we know today regarding the shape of the Earth was not the same as

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the idea of the ancient people. How does the idea of the shape of Earth evolved as we
know today?
People before believed that the Earth is flat, not round. Early Egyptians and
Mesopotamians also believed that the world is a disk in the ocean, similar to what
Homer believed. It was around 6th century BC when Pythagoras and his pupils who
introduced and proposed the spherical shape of the Earth. This idea was supported
by Anaxagoras through his conducted observations. He observed that during a lunar
eclipse, the earth’s shadow reflection on the moon’s surface was circular.
Aristotle, another great thinker of that time, supported the idea of Earth being
spherical through his arguments listed below:
 He argued that Earth is also spherical since the moon and the sun are both
spherical.
 When Greeks traveled to places near the equator, they observed that the North
Star (which is believed to be at a fixed position in the sky) is closer to the
horizon.
 When the ship sailed, the hull disappeared first, which implies that the
surface of the earth is curved and not flat.
At around 240 BCE, Eratosthenes tried
to calculate the earth's circumference. He
observed that during the summer solstice,
a vertical object in Syene in Southern Egypt
did not cast any shadows, which was not
the case in Alexandria. By measuring the
shadow a vertical stick cast, he measured
the angle that the sun's rays created with
the vertical direction. In Alexandria, the
sun rays make an angle of 7.2° from the
vertical, while in Syene, the angle is 0°. He The measurement of Earth's circumference by
hypothesized the light rays coming from the Eratosthenes. Image Source: Quipper
sun were parallel and the earth is curve. He
estimated the earth's circumference to be around 250 000 stadia, or 46 250 km (1
stadia-185 m).
Source: Quipper

Lesson 2 - Pre-Telescope Observed Astronomical Phenomena

Listed below are some of the astronomical phenomena known to astronomers
before the advent of telescope.
1. Phases of the Moon – Path and appearance of the moon changes within a period
of 29.5 days was observed by the ancient people. It changes from thin semi-circular
disk to full circular disk as seen by them. Basis for ancient calendar.
2. Lunar Eclipse – Occurs when the Earth is between the moon and the sun. They
have observed that the moon or part of it is seemed to be covered by shadow for a
moment.
3. Solar Eclipse – Causes temporary darkness on daytime and occurs when the
moon is between the sun and the earth. Ancient people often associated this event
with the wrath of God.
4.The Motion of the Stars - It was also observed that the stars appear to be attached
to a celestial sphere that rotates around an axis in one day. Also, the constellations’
positions in the night sky vary depending on the time of the year.
5. Visibility of Planets - Astronomers have discovered that Mercury, Venus, Mars,
Jupiter, and Saturn are planets because they have noticed that the stars are in a
fixed position with respect to each other. But there are very bright stars that change
positions periodically which are called “wanderers” or planetes in Greek terms.
Source: Physical Science ADM Module by DepEd CDO, Physical Science QuexHub App

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Lesson 3: Kepler's Discoveries from Brahe's Astronomical Data
Tycho Brahe became famous through his observations: (a) Supernova explosion
of 11 Nov 1572 — named “Nova Stella”, now SN 1572 (b) Comet in 1577. Johannes
Kepler was hired as sort of “research assistant” by Brahe primarily to prove that
Brahe’s model (geoheliocentric model) which emphasize that the Earth was at rest,
the sun went around the Earth and the planets all went around the sun - an
intermediate picture between Ptolemy and Copernicus. Kepler needed Brahe’s data
to do mathematical analysis while Brahe needs Kepler to make mathematical
calculations to prove that the model satisfies the observed data. Brahe died before
his model is proven. Kepler inherited vast data set that will prove crucial for
developing his Three Laws of Planetary Motion later.
It took Kepler many more years trying out many possible models to fit the
available data being concerned largely on the philosophical implications of his
models and the belief that there has to be simple numerical relationships among
phenomena like the Pythagoreans. Only after about 20 years or so working with the
data he got from Brahe, the Three Laws of Planetary Motion were published in two
different years:

1. Law of Ellipses (1609) - Planets move in

ellipses having a common focus situated

Source: Wikimedia

2. Law of Equal Areas (1609) - Planets move

around the sun in such a way that a line
drawn from the sun to the planet sweeps out
equal areas in equal time intervals.

When the planet is nearest to the Sun, it is

called perihelion. When it is farthest from the
Sun, it is called aphelion.

3. Law of Harmonies (1619) - The square of the periods of the planets are
proportional to the cubes of their mean distances from the sun. In equation,
𝑇𝐴 2 𝑅 3
𝑇𝐵 2
= 𝑅𝐴 3 where TA and TB are the periods of planet A and B, and RA and RB are the
𝐵
mean distances of planet A and B from the sun.

Average T2 /R3
Planet Period (T in yr)
Distance (R in au)
Mercury 0.241 0.39 0.98

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 Venus .615 0.72 1.01
Earth 1.00 1.00 1.00
Mars 1.88 1.52 1.01
Jupiter 11.8 5.20 0.99
Saturn 29.5 9.54 1.00
Uranus 84.0 19.18 1.00
Neptune 165 30.06 1.00
Source: DepEd CDO Learning Activity Sheets in Physical Science

Activity 1: Show me evidences!

Think on how these modern evidences support the spherical earth by
matching the evidences to its explanation.

Evidences Explanation
One side of the earth experiences
1. Spacecraft Photos ▪ ▪ A. nighttime and the other side
experiences daytime.
Satellite and astronauts personally
2. Lunar Eclipse ▪ ▪ B.
observed the curvature of the Earth.
Airplanes can travel in a straight line
3. Time Zones ▪ ▪ C. at a long period without falling off the
edge.
The shadow of the earth formed on
the one side of the moon shows a
4. Riding a Plane ▪ ▪ D.
dark circle.

Activity 2: I am an astronomer
Observe the night sky for 5 consecutive days in the same location and time.
Draw or take a photo of it for 5 days and paste it in the box below. After that, write
your observations below each photo or drawing.
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Observations: Observations: Observations: Observations: Observations:

______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________
______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________
______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________

Activity 3: The Phases of the Moon and Me

Aim: Keep track of the periodic change of phase of the moon for three months.
Materials: Calendar of the current year that indicates the movement of the moon

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Procedure:
1. Choose three consecutive months of the current year (ex. January to March or
February to April).
2. For every month, check out the dates of the four major phases of the moon (1 st
quarter, full moon, last quarter and new moon).
3. Using the table below, list down the dates.
Last First
Month/ Phases Full Moon New Moon
Quarter Quarter
Ex. July 2020 5 13 21 28
A
B
C
4. Then count the number of days’ interval from one phase to another.
Ex. July A. B. C.
Days Interval/Month
2020
Full Moon to Last Quarter 8
Last Quarter to New Moon 8
New Moon to First Quarter 7
First Quarter of the current month and July-Aug
the full moon of the next month 6
Total no. of days to complete the cycle 29
Guide Questions:
1. How many days would take the moon to compete the cycle for:
Month A_____________ Month B_____________ Month C_____________
2. What have you noticed with the time interval as the phase changes from one phase
to another within three months? What is the average time to complete the cycle?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Adapted from: Physical Science ADM Module by DepEd CDO pp. 8-9

Activity 4: Misconception Check

The orbital path of a satellite is shown in the sketch. In which of the marked
positions A through D does the satellite the greatest speed? The lowest speed?
Answer:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

Activity 5: Solve Me
Earth has an orbital period of 365 days and its mean distance from the Sun
is 1.495𝑥108 km. The planet Pluto’s mean distance from the Sun is 5.896𝑥109 km.
Using Kepler’s third law, calculate Pluto’s orbital period in Earth days.

 Early civilization believed that Earth is flat.

 Pythagoras proposed that the shape of the Earth is sphere.
 Anaxagoras supported Pythagoras’ proposal.

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  Aristotle supported the spherical shape of the Earth through his arguments
on the north star, the shape of the moon and sun, and disappearing ships.
 Erastosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth.
 Before the invention of the telescope, ancient astronomers have already
observed the following phenomena:
o phases of the moon
o lunar and solar Eclipse
o motions of the stars; and
o the visibility of planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
 Tycho Brahe’s vast and accurate collection of data on position and movement
of planets and stars paved the way in Kepler’s discovery of the laws of
planetary motion.
 Kepler’s discovered important relationships from Brahe’s data such as the
speed of the planet with respect to its distance from the sun.
 The three laws of planetary motion are known as: (1) 1st Law – Law of Ellipses;
(2) 2nd Law – Law of Equal Areas; (3) 3 rd Law – Law of Harmonies

A. Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle

below.

B. Complete the concept map below by using the concepts and terms below as your
guide.

Law of Equal Areas Johannes Kepler Law of Harmonies

The square of the orbital
The line from the Sun to period of a planet is The path of each planet
any planet sweeps out directly proportional around the Sun is an
equal areas of space to the cube of the average ellipse with the Sun at one
in equal tsime intervals. distance of the planet from focus.
the Sun
Tycho Brahe’s vast Three Laws of Planetary
Law of Ellipses
collection of data Motion

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Directions: Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. Who among the Greek philosophers calculated the circumference of the Earth?
A. Homer B. Aristotle C. Anaxagoras D. Eratosthenes
2. The estimated circumference of the Earth calculated by Eratosthenes is ___ stadia.
A. 10. 2 B. 185 C. 46250 D. 250000
3. What can be observed about a ship approaching the horizon because of the Earth’s
curvature?
A. It remains at the same apparent size.
B. Its mast (top portion) disappears first.
C. Its hull (bottom portion) disappears first.
D. It becomes smaller and smaller until it disappears.
4. How does the Earth is described as believed by the people before?
A. flat B. square C. elliptical D. rectangular
5. Modern astronomy described the shape of the earth as ___.
A. oblate spheroid B. parabolic C. elliptical D. hyperbolic
6. Which of the following phenomena cannot be seen without the aid of telescope?
A. Motion of the Stars C. Visibility of Uranus and Neptune
B. Phases of the Moon D. Lunar Eclipse
7. Which of the following phenomena occurs when the earth casts its shadow on the
moon and the Earth is between the sun and moon?
A. Motion of the Stars C. Solar Eclipse
B. Phases of the Moon D. Lunar Eclipse
8. Which pre-observed telescope phenomena is the basis for ancient calendar?
A. Motion of the Stars C. Solar Eclipse
B. Phases of the Moon D. Lunar Eclipse

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9. Which of the following phenomena occurs when the moon is between the sun and
the earth and the moon is partially or complete blocks out the sun?
A. Motion of the Stars C. Solar Eclipse
B. Phases of the Moon D. Lunar Eclipse
10. The changes in path and appearances of the moon occurs within a period of ___.
A. 31 days B. 30 days C. 29.5 days D. 27.5 days
11. Kepler’s first law of planetary motion is known as ___.
A. Law of Ellipses C. Law of Harmony
B. Law of Equal Areas D. Law of Inertia
12. Which of the concept below is Tycho Brahe’s major contribution to the field of
astronomy?
A. the invention of telescope
B. measurement of Earth’ circumference
C. the Earth’s pull of gravity on the moon
D. accurate measurement of stars’ and planets’ position
13. What is the speed of a planet when it is farthest from the Sun?
A. The speed of the planet is faster.
B. The speed of the planet is slower.
C. The speed of the planet is neither fast nor slow.
D. The speed of the planet is similar to the speed when it is closer to the Sun.
14. The farthest point to the sun in a planet’s orbit is called as what?
A. aphelion B. ellipse C. focus D. perihelion
15. What is the shape of the planets’ orbit as described by first law of planetary
motion?
A. cone B. circle C. sphere D. ellipse

Answer Key:

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